Sunday, 7 April 2013

Surface Gallery presents a show by Lisa Selby, the winner of the 2012 International Open Show.

The awareness of inevitable loss is central to Lisa Selby’s material and sculptural approach. With and Without seeks to grasp and eternalize what cannot be held firm: Selby re-articulates items from the domestic environment, relaying the familiarity and alienation experienced as one moves physically and psychologically from one home to another.

Whilst she begins with found objects, her sculptural forms effectively make these anew: imperfect copies are alien from their originals, traces of former existence are erased and their function is redefined. The fragile and impermanent works evoke vulnerable homely spaces: materials are far too delicate or look poised to fall, fragrant domestic liquids evaporate throughout the exhibition, and disappearance, failure and melancholy hang in the air.

This atmosphere, along with questions of originality, contingency and duration, will be amplified through Selby’s invitation for two artists to perform during the opening. João Nôro Caldeira’s work presents a still, confrontational body, whilst Hannah Jones’ live and recorded selves converse in a melodic a cappella dialogue.

Opening night performances

João Nôro Caldeira - Everything Becomes Sunday

João Nôro Caldeira’s body of work is grounded in ideas of loss, longing and hope; where the external expresses the internal. His performances mirror a longing for a distant past and future expectations which may never materialise. Presented within specific time frames, not known by the viewer, Caldeira’s pieces echo an undiscovered belief.

Hannah Jones’ work is concerned with the moment of live performance where the performer and audience unite in a contract of time and space. Predominantly static Jones presents herself as a living sculpture (and often, living pun), she allows herself to be observed visually and aurally by audience and camera. The presence and intensity from the perspective of the audience, performer and camera is an ongoing investigation.

About

Surface Gallery is an independent, volunteer run, contemporary art
gallery based in Nottingham that exists to support the professional
development of early and mid-career artists, curators and people
wishing to work in the arts.

The Gallery is keen to facilitate experimental and innovative work,
encouraging artists to explore new avenues in their practice.

The Gallery is constituted as a cooperative and managed by a management
committee. Volunteers working at the Gallery are split into
sub-committees to manage different areas of the gallery including
Exhibitions, Press/Marketing, Finance, Fundraising, Education and
Management.

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